VIP: Maryland Football at Midway Point of Fall Camp

  • Another practice, another day with several NFL scouts in attendance. Reps from the Bills, Eagles and Jets were in attendance among others with several potential 2023 NFL Draft prospects on Maryland’s current roster. This isn’t a surprise and more scouts are expected to be on campus through the season.
  • Freshman wide receiver Shaleak Knotts was in a hard cast on his left hand last week, but he’s back at practice with a soft cast as he took in practice reps. Freshman running back Ramon Brown was also sporting a brace on his right leg, while freshman wide receiver Leon Haughton had a leg brace on his left leg.
  • Wide receivers Jeshaun Jones and Dontay Demus still had their braces on their right legs during practice, but both continue to progress well ahead of week one’s matchup against Buffalo.
  • Both wide receivers Rakim Jarrett and Jacob Copeland, who dealt with minor camp bruises, were back at practice as expected.
  • After missing Saturday’s first scrimmage, linebacker Fa’Najae Gotay was working as normal during Wednesday’s practice. We did not see veteran defensive lineman Mo Kite during practice.
  • Veteran running back Challen Faamatau isn’t expected to be cleared heading into week one, but he was on the field taking in practice without a brace. His eventual return will give the room a hard-nosed runner, but the emergence of Colby McDonald and Roman Hemby bolster the room while both Antwain Littleton and Ramon Brown will play integral parts in the rotation.
  • One interesting, yet temporary position switch during camp: John Griffith. The walk-on out of St. Frances joined the program as a quarterback and is expected to move back once the season starts, but with the staff cautious with Demus and Jones, Griffith has been able to step in to provide more depth to the room. The freshman flashed surprising speed on his ability to track down the ball on deep routes, giving the quarterback room a dual-threat depth option down the line.
  • In terms of special teams returners, cornerback Tarheeb Still is expected to reclaim his role as punt returner while Tai Felton, Octavian Smith, Deonte Banks and Roman Hemby have rotated as the kickoff returners. There’s no shortage of speed on the return units, but cleaning up the coverage units remains an emphasis heading into this upcoming weekend’s scrimmage and into the season.

Related Links

Former Maryland shortstop wins MVP in summer league

Maryland in the race for a pair of four-stars (+)

Maryland football to face all four ranked Big Ten teams this fall

Latest with Good Counsel four-star Dylan Gooden (+)

Local four-star has visits in mind heading into junior year (+)

VIP: more scrimmage rumblings, big board mover (+)

Latest developments in five-star Nyckoles Harbor’s recruitment (+)